Lophophora williamsii 'Caespitosa Variegata'
Lophophora williamsii 'Caespitosa Variegata is a selected cultivar of the peyote cactus that combines two prized traits in a single plant: a strong tendency to cluster (caespitosa) and variegated skin. The result is a slow-growing, multi-headed clump whose bodies are streaked and mottled with patches of yellow, pink or cream where normal green pigment is reduced, giving each head a marbled, multicoloured look. It is a cultivated form of the species Lophophora williamsii, and shares that species' biology, care and legal restrictions.
Description
Like the wild species, this cultivar forms soft, spineless, button-shaped heads with low ribs and tufts of white wool at the areoles, from which the small pink flowers emerge. Two features set it apart. First, it clusters freely: rather than staying solitary, it offsets around the crown and base to build up domed clumps of many heads over time. Second, it is variegated — patches of its tissue lack the usual green chlorophyll, so the skin shows irregular zones of yellow, cream or pink against the normal blue-green. The pattern is unstable and varies from head to head; some offsets revert to plain green, while others may be so heavily variegated that they struggle to grow.
Because variegated tissue photosynthesises poorly, plants of this cultivar are generally slower and smaller than an ordinary peyote, and the most colourful heads are also the most delicate.
Cultivation
Care follows the parent species, Lophophora williamsii — a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix, careful watering with a full dry-down between drinks, a dry winter rest, and protection from frost. Refer to the species page for the full routine.
A few points are specific to this cultivar:
- Light. Variegates hold their colour best in bright light, but the pale, chlorophyll-poor patches scorch easily. Give strong but slightly filtered light and increase exposure gradually to avoid burning the light tissue.
- Grafting. Heavily variegated plants have little green tissue to feed themselves and are commonly grown grafted onto a vigorous rootstock (such as Myrtillocactus or Trichocereus/Echinopsis) to keep them growing. See Grafting.
- Watering. The soft, slow bodies rot readily, so err on the dry side, especially with the weaker variegated heads.
Propagation
Because it clusters, this cultivar is usually increased vegetatively from its offsets, which can be removed once they have their own roots or used as scions for grafting. Variegation is not reliably passed on, so seed-grown plants may or may not show the trait; offsets and grafts are the dependable way to keep a given pattern. See also Propagation — cuttings.
Legal status
Lophophora williamsii contains mescaline, and this cultivar is treated identically to the species under the law. In the United States both the plant and its principal alkaloid are controlled as Schedule I substances, so cultivating or possessing peyote is prohibited except under specific religious exemptions granted to the Native American Church. Like all cacti, the genus is also listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates international trade.
Legal status varies considerably between countries and, within some nations, between regions. Growers should check the rules that apply where they live before acquiring plants of this cultivar. This article is horticultural reference only and describes cultivation of an ornamental collector plant; it does not address any other use.
See also
- Lophophora williamsii — the parent species
- Lophophora — the genus overview
- Grafting · Propagation — offsets · Soil and potting mix · Watering